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An Exploration on Why and How Syrian Refugees Settle Down in Diyarbakır City Looking at Social Networks and Livelihood Strategies

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An Exploration on Why and How Syrian Refugees Settle Down in Diyarbakır City Looking at Social Networks and Livelihood Strategies An exploration on why and how Syrian refugees settle down in Diyarbakır city Master thesis Ilva Veul An exploration on why and how Syrian refugees settle down in Diyarbakır city Looking at social networks and livelihood strategies Name : Ilva Veul Student number : 900624887110 E-mailadres : [email protected] Supervisor : Joost Jongerden Second reader : Bram Jansen Program : Master International Development Chair group : Sociology of Development and Change Course code : SDC 80733 Date : 17-12-2015 The cover photo was taken by Joost Jongerden in the ‘old city’ of Diyarbakır where I conducted part of my research. Abstract The number of refugees is increasing worldwide, largely due to mass displacement caused by the Syrian War. Turkey currently hosts the greatest number of Syrian refugees, estimated at 2.2 million. Increasingly, refugees are tending to flee to non-camp settlements, while Turkish refugee policy is mostly focused on hosting refugees in camps. The aim of this research is, therefore, to contribute to urban refugee policy. To do so, information is needed on the current situation of urban refugees, as previous research has mostly focused on ‘camp’ refugees. This research examines why Syrian refugees prefer non-camp settlement in Diyarbakır city and what kind of livelihood strategies they employ. To answer this, I have analysed relevant literature and completed first hand fieldwork over three months in Diyarbakır city, a Kurdish city in the South-East of Turkey. I used a qualitative data method which consisted of interviewing, observing and conducting informal talks with twenty Syrian families. I also had informal talks with Syrian refugees, non-government organizations, the local municipality and governmental organizations. The results demonstrate that social relations, ethnic background and a desire for self-reliance are three important factors in explaining both why Syrian refugees prefer non-camp settlements in Diyarbakır city and which livelihood strategies they use. The Syrian refugees had come to Diyarbakır city because of chain-migration, meaning that they had followed family members and co-nationals with the same ethnic background who had previously moved to this place. Other reasons that were mentioned as influencing the decision of the interviewees to relocate to Diyarbakır city were the availability of economic opportunities and social services. These were all factors that they perceived as unavailable in the camps, of which they had a negative view. The interviewees expressed a desire to be in a place where they would be able to be self-reliant. Once they arrived in the city, family and co-nationals with the same ethnic background and the local community seemed to serve as important networks in finding a house and a job and engaging with economic and social opportunities. Existing institutions (such as the local municipality and governmental organizations) only seemed to be engaged from time to time, as this was dependent on the refugees’ ability to find these institutions and the willingness of the institutions to assist. Besides making use of social networks, another livelihood strategy used by the respondents was making use of policy inconsistencies and regulation loopholes. Although refugees are forbidden to formally work or receive education in Turkey, those individuals interviewed had found ways to access income and education through other means. While this enabled the respondents to be self- reliant and to survive in the short-term, the ways in which they did so are not ethically justifiable. Besides, these survival strategies did not seem useful for the long-term. It is therefore important to create an urban refugee policy for Turkey that offers durable and ethical solutions. The main recommendation of this thesis is that the Turkish government reform existing legislation to grant refugees working permits and ensure that Syrian children can receive a formal education. In this way the needs of refugees are better fulfilled and the host-country can also profit from the human and economic potential of refugees. Keywords: Syrian refugees, non-camp settlement, livelihood strategies, social networks, chain- migration, self-help, self-reliant, urban refugee policy, Diyarbakır i Acknowledgement In the winter of 2010 I was in Ankara, Turkey for a university exchange program and got the chance to visit both Syria as well as the Eastern part of Turkey. Both of these places impressed me because of the beautiful landscapes and the friendly people who were so hospitable. I am therefore grateful that I was once again able to go back to Eastern Turkey in the summer of 2014, in order to conduct qualitative research for my thesis. Talking with people from Syria reminded me of my amazing trip in their country. It is sad to hear what has happened to Syria, a country with so much beauty. Even though my respondents had experienced horrible things and were deprived from home, they were all willing to tell their stories about their lives then and now. Sometimes these stories were told with tears and sometimes with a smile, but one thing these stories had in common was that they were told by friendly and hospitable people. I would like to thank all of my respondents for their stories, warmth, coffee and tea. I wish you all the best for the future, inshallah. Besides my respondents I also would like to give a big thanks to Erhan, my translator, who really was of great help. Without him I would have been hopelessly lost in the narrow streets of Diyarbakır city. Besides being my translator and guide, he also became a friend with whom I liked to talk and play a nice game of backgammon. Erhan, zor sipas. I would also like to express my gratitude to Murat, Dilan and Atalay, my colleagues at DISA, who made it a lot easier for me to do my research in Diyarbakır. Firstly, because they offered me a place at their office so I could do my daily work, but also because they had some contacts to which they could introduce me. Special thanks go to Atalay and Dilan, who really did their best to make me feel at home. I had a great time living together with Atalay, meeting all his lovely friends, and going on trips to places such as Mardin, Hasankeyf and Suruç. Also Dilan introduced me to all her friends and family, and took me along to several wedding parties and pubs. Without them, my time in Diyarbakır probably would have been quite lonely, since there were hardly any other people with whom I could communicate. I am therefore grateful for the nice talks and moments I shared with them. Furthermore, I would like to thank my supervisor Joost Jongerden. It was nice to have a supervisor who was familiar with the place and culture I was living in. He therefore was able to give me some valuable contacts that led me to, for instance, my translator and DISA, which proved very important for both my research and for me personally. Next to that, he also could give me good advice on what to do when the situation in Diyarbakır became a bit unsafe. It gave me a safe feeling to know that he had gone through similar situations before. Thank you for all your time, help and patience. Finally, I would like to thank my parents and Zoran for supporting me from back home. During my time in Diyarbakır I would Skype with Zoran almost daily and tell him all my stories. I really appreciate that he took the time to listen to me. I know my parents were worried from time to time, especially during my trips to Suruç and when the situation in Diyarbakır became unstable. But still, they supported my decisions and had faith in me. Zoran, mom and dad, thanks for being there for me and for your unconditional love and support. ii Table of contents Abstract .................................................................................................................................................... i Acknowledgement....................................................................................................................................ii 1. Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 3 2. Problem statement and theoretical background ................................................................................ 7 2.1 Research aim and questions ....................................................................................................................... 10 2.1 Choosing a place to settle down ............................................................................................................ 11 2.2 Livelihood strategies ............................................................................................................................... 12 2.3 How refugees perceive their living conditions ....................................................................................... 13 3. Method of data-collection ................................................................................................................. 15 3.1 Research design and participants ............................................................................................................... 15 3.2 Data-collection ............................................................................................................................................ 17 3.2.1 Orientation phase ................................................................................................................................ 18 3.2.2 Interview phase ..................................................................................................................................
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